The Thar coal project will become operational in December 2013, Science and Technology Planning Commission member Dr Samar Mubarakmand said on Thursday.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that the project would bring prosperity in the country. “Pakistan has enough coal reserves that can provide electricity to the country for more than 500 years,” he said. He said that development work is in progress and the first 50 megawatts (MW) gasified project has almost been completed.
He said that the project is to cost Rs 8.898 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs 5.847 billion that was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council last year.
Dr Samar said that the success of the Thar coal project would lead to investment from the leading international companies. He said that several foreign companies wanted to participate in the project and had shown interest.
He said that the 50 percent coal-fired power generation work has already been done, while the rest would be completed within a few months. With the completion of this project, the nation would get cheap and sufficient power supply, thus resolving the current pestering energy crisis, he added.
He said that it was for the first time in Pakistan that the coal gasification project was being launched on commercial basis, adding that abundant and cheap electricity would be available if it gets through.
He said that coal gasification was already producing 50,000 MW around the world, as the cost of electricity per unit is relatively low.
He said that four continents in the world were working on this project as this method has enhanced energy efficiency to 76 percent.
He said that the new growth strategy of the country was being emphasised on power generation through coal, adding that the country’s installed capacity of thermal generation is 12,000 MW against hydel generation of 9,000 MW.